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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 03/22/2022Approved 04-2 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWelq��t� I�EQ 1.„ RIti OFFICE An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held i[ VlrsldiS and vPrt4AL Tuesday, Members Present: Administration Present: Kiera O'Neil, Chair Teresa Murphy, Superintendent of Schools, IJl T Lynn Cavicchi, Vice Chair Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching/Learning) Linda Fernando Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/Operations) Lauren Scher Jenn Walsh Members Absent: ***All members in person -Roll call vote not required *** Lynn Cavicchi arrived directly to Executive Session. Motion to Enter Executive Session: Kiera O'Neil asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 for the Following Purpose: Under Exception No. 3. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. At 6:02 p.m., Motion to leave the open meeting; enter into executive session and return to open meeting by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 4 - 0 Return to Open Meeting at 6:33 p.m. Public Speak: None Communications: None Administrative Reports: Superintendent Teresa Murphy highlighted the many performing arts activities that occurred over the past week including MHS concerts, MHS One Act Play, MHS Percussion and Color Guard at Dartmouth High School where Percussion finished first and Color Guard finished 2nd in their respective divisions. At Jordan/Jackson, Jamie Steinbach, directed her 25th annual 5d' grade play. It was wonderful to see these students back in action after a hiatus. Assistant Superintendent Edward Donoghue spoke of the recent water testing. For this year's cycle Robinson and the High School were tested. A couple of devices did test for high lead but these were ones that had tested high in previous years and have been marked for hand washing only. The facilities department will make sure signage is marked appropriately. There are no issues with our drinking water. Lynn asked if we could replace these items. Ed noted that generally it is the pipes that feed into the units so it is a bigger job. We could look into this but he noted that with a quick run of the water, the lead count decreases and passes inspection. Page 1 of 5 Approved 04-26-22 Approval of Warrant: Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Goods & Services 220031S 2-1-22 Salary & Goods & Wages Services 2022-16 220033S 2-4-22 2-15-22 Salary & Wages 2022-17 2-18-22 General Fund 602,602.75 1,672,449.48 449,868.03 1,661,588.90 Medicare - 2,393.60 - 2,393.60 Capital 49,005.95 Revolving 5,067.42 75,924.84 913.56 89,969.58 Food Service 22,310.82 25,522.70 36,889.10 23.201.78 Gifts 1,932.00 Student Activity 3,971.00 - 5,575.34 Grants 41,922.21 46,233.06 6,964.79 43,058.80 Prior Year 1,802.73 13,443.00 677,676.93 1,822,523.68 564,591.77 '.1,820,212.66 Motion to approve the Warrant memo dated 03-11-22 by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5 - 0 Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the open meeting minutes dated 3-08-22 by Linda Fernando / jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5 - 0 &Efts: Jersey Mike's helped the class of 2025 with a fundraiser by offering discounted gift cards to their store. In total the class earned $2, 608 by selling these CARDS. The MHS All Sports Boosters through the efforts of President Roberta Sullivan secured a grant from the Town of Mansfield Gift Committee which will be used to replace lockers in the girl's locker room. The athletic department and facilities will also contribute money and time toward the project. The Mansfield Democratic Town Committee donated $1000 to our school libraries in memory of Randall Tatum, a life long resident and member of the committee. He was a proponent of social justice and the books purchased will reflect equitable and diverse concepts. Julia Greenstine and Michael Connolly are currently working with our librarians on book choices. 1 Page 2 of 5 Approved 04-26-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Stop& Shop donated $95 from their Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet sales in October. Mansfield will use these funds for the return of our Backpack Buddies this fall. The Jamie Fund under the direction of Kim Piro is donating $3000 to the Project Teammate Class. These funds will be used for non -budgeted items such as activities for the students. 1 Mansfield Public Schools is so grateful to all those that support our students. New Business: Update on Student Opportunity Act: Assistant Superintendent Michael Connolly gave an update on our amendments to the SOA. As a reminder, this effort was directed by DESE back in 2019 but was somewhat derailed due to COVID. In March of 2022, schools need to update their SOAs with progress made and plans for the remainder of the school year. Mansfield has made some minor changes but overall are keeping the plan as it is. We have made great progress in the areas of concern and would like to continue down the same path. Mr. Connolly provided the committee with a list of 21 items that DESE has asked districts to review. Of these, each district has been asked to focus on a few. The goal of SOA is to close learning gaps. Funding from the state is small. We expect to receive approximately $30 per student or a total of approximately $100,000._Note that the state does not directly send funds to the schools. The money is incorporated into the chapter 70 funds. We are also funding with our own funds. Mr. Connolly reviewed statistics which show a breakdown of MCAS results based on various categories. These graphs are very helpful in identifying areas where improvement is needed. The focus areas for Mansfield are: Expanded learning time (#7 DESE): The objective is to create opportunities to support students and help them transition to the next school year. Efforts include afterschool math support, Acceleration Academies, additional EL certified staff, new summer programs. To measure, the district will pre and post test based on students and standards as well as monitor MCAS growth. Expanded Capacity of Staff (#16 DESE): The objective is to partner with community -based mental health providers to support students in need. Efforts with McLean Hospital will continue. Measurement of student attendance will help identify progress. It was noted that schools have worked with McLean very successfully. Several PD workshops have been held and staff have worked with our local community based policy programs. Culturally Responsive Teaching (#6 DESE): The objective is to develop culturally responsive teaching staff and develop strategies that create equitable learning environments. Efforts include the equity audit, addressing opportunities for growth, conduct additional training in cultural proficiency, conduct surveys. Progress will be measured by several different surveys. Inclusion Support for English Learners (#8 DESE): The objective is to provide support to our English Learners so they may better access general education curriculum. (Previously our goal centered around Backpack Buddies. However, this program was temporarily halted during COVID because the district was providing other avenues for nutritional support.) We would like to add an Page 3 of 5 Approved 04-26-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar additional paraprofessional at the elementary level where we see the most growth. Progress will be measured based on growth in ACCESS and MCAS scores. Kiera O'Neil thought the plan was very clear and well -integrated. The graphs by category clearly show our gaps. Jenn Walsh supports the continued partnership with both McLean and Calise Warriner. Linda Fernando asked why we are not focusing on staff talent and development. Is this an area where we can work on? Teresa noted that, although not in the SOA plan, the district is partnering with outside agencies to attract minority and diverse employee candidates. HR has identified additional job posting sites that will also help with this recruiting. Lynn noted that DESE recently reported on the diverse make up of all of the school districts. Lauren appreciates that we are focusing on small specific areas but noted we still need to look into measurement of interim - based outcomes to make sure we are on track. Lynn also supported the small manageable efforts so that we can work within our budgets. Consideration of CHAMPS Director Job Description: Teresa noted that Shawna Leary, our long-time director, is retiring in June. There was never a comprehensive job description for the role. The job description was reviewed and input was provided by the committee to expand the explanation of developing new programs, add a line for cultivating positive relationships with community members and noting specifics about budget and staff size. Ed recommended that budget and size items would be more appropriate for the job posting as that may vary. Motion to approve the CHAMPS Director Job Description with discussed modifications by Linda Fernando /Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5 - 0 Consideration of Policy JFBB School Choice: Now that the district is participating in school choice the policy required some updating. MASC, MGL and the office of MHTL were all contacted or researched. Motion to approve the modifications to policy JFBB School Choice by Linda Fernando / Jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5 - 0. Chair O'Neil took a moment to clarify public concern that the school would be losing money by participating since the State reimbursement amount is well below per pupil cost. She noted that any funds coming in from other districts enhance what we already have in place. This allows us to add students to classrooms already in existence. Funds are sent directly to the schools. School Committee Business: None Other- Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting: None Documents Referenced: Page 4 of 5 Approved 04-26-22 Mansfield School Committee Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, March 22, 2022 In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar Student Opportunity Act Presentation job Description Policy Motion to adjourn: At 8:01 p.m., Motion to adjourn by Linda Fernando / jenn Walsh Motion Carries 5 - 0 Respectfully Submitted, Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to Superintendent & School Committee i i Page 5 of 5